Nana's Surgery Update

Hi everyone,

We met with Dr. Turner Thursday and mom decided that she is ready to get the XStop procedure done and "the sooner, the better" was her comment. She wanted it done yesterday! Dr. Turner indicated that he would be happy to do the XRay guided injections, however, she was more interested in getting the XStop done for, hopefully, a more permanent relief of pain as well as the fact that she had injections done in the past and they didn't work. The spinal cord stimulator, according to Dr. Turner, is not indicated for this condition.

Her spinal stenosis is at L3-4 & 4-5, therfore, they will likely insert the XStop at 2 levels. Dr. Turner indicated that the pressure on the nerve is what usually occurs with this diagnosis but the actual compression of the nerve is not viewable on the MRI. With his experience, mom's symptoms (buttocks & upper leg pain), and the spinal stenosis diagnosis, it is his impression that this is what is causing the her pain. The potential to cause more pain is less than 1% with this procedure. He indicated that the doctors in Philadelphia had recommended the XStop if her bones were strong enough to tolerate the procedure and, after viewing her dexascan, he indicated that her bones are strong enough for the procedure.

Dr. Turner graciously answered the questions and is ready to move forward with the procedure, as is mom!

We should be receiving a call soon with details of when she will be scheduled for the procedure. It looks like it will be Monday or Tues of next week. I'll let her know when I hear from them. Dr. Turner is optomistic that she will be able to be up and around shortly after surgery and able to go back to work at the hospital after the first of the year.

The anesthesiologist has ordered her records from Lovelace to see how she tolerated the anesthesia when she had her knee replacement surgery. He recommended asking for a copy of her labs from the staff in the surgery waiting area on the day of her surgery to take to her nephrologist for his records. This might not be a bad idea, however, she will be getting her lab work done (as she usually does) just prior to her next appointment. She has an appointment with her Nephrologist on Dec 22 and will need a ride to this appointment on that day and will likely need someone to get her to the Neuolgist for a follow up appointment.

Hope this answers most of the questions and alleviates concerns.

Mom, if I missed anything, feel free to add comments.

Love,

Mid